Local school and police officials are responding to the elementary school massacre in Newtown, Conn., in varying ways — from reviewing their safety and drill procedures to providing increased security as classes resume Monday.

Ron Lesko, spokesman for the Albany City School District, said more staff members might be posted at entrances Monday, and that the district will review security and emergency procedures. "All of us in this business want to keep our kids safe, and we have security plans and safety protocols in place," Lesko said. "Everyone now has that 'what if' scenario in their heads."

On Friday morning, the gunman forced his way into the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, where the doors were locked — a practice that is in place at many Capital Region elementary schools.

Troy police and school officials say measures will be implemented Monday, but they didn't want to provide details.

"This is a very sensitive issue and we have been ordered to have very restricted comment on any of it," said city police spokesman Capt. John Cooney. "There will be a meeting with all school officials and police next week to examine the issue and what could be done."

Cooney said school resource officers in the city are cycling through a three-day training program by Homeland Security personnel on handling and responding to such situations.

"It is a difficult issue because it can take a couple of minutes between when calls come in and someone can get on the radio and dispatch cars," Cooney said. "A lot can happen in such situations in a couple of minutes. I think the tragedy in Newtown is going to cause some people to really examine some of those issues."

Bethlehem Central School District officials asked parents to take the lead in discussing the shootings with their children. A letter sent over the weekend asked that students not talk about the incident with other students, particularly younger children. "Our teachers will not bring up this tragedy with their classes, except as may be appropriate in certain advanced grade levels," said the letter signed by Superintendent Thomas Douglas. He directed parents to the district's Web page for suggestions on talking to their children and said counselors will be available.

School security and entry policies for visitors are similar to those of other districts, and Douglas said officials will review those procedures.

North Colonie Superintendent Joseph Corr said in a statement on the district's website Sunday that the same security measures will continue to be in place there, such as only doorbell entrance to elementary schools, and greeters requiring sign-ins at the middle and high schools. "We will continue to be vigilant with the prescribed security measures in each of our buildings," Corr said.

North Colonie administrators will meet this week to review security procedures.

Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Superintendent Patrick M. McGrath Jr. said on that district's website Sunday that the school district "will accelerate our plans to incorporate additional best practices into our security protocol," and said more detail will be provided in a letter home to parents Monday.

"All our schools have been upgraded and have single access points with monitors, but over time people can become lax with the routines," McDonald said. "The question is, do we want to take more tighter measures now. We have to decide what's practical, what's necessary."

Schenectady Superintendent Larry Spring said counselors and others from the district's crisis team will meet early Monday before schools open to put together tips for staff if they see signs of anxiety, fear or sadness in students because of the tragedy.

Like many Capital Region districts, Schenectady only buzzes people into elementary schools if they state their identity and purpose over an intercom and/or video system, while the middle and high schools have a more open policy of checking in guests at a security desk.

"Every time an incident like this happens, it's an opportunity for us to say 'How would our plan fare in that scenario? Where do we think the weaknesses are?'" Spring said. "We've got individual building teams who will begin to go through that assessment."

He said ideal security involves creating a one-entrance vestibule that is monitored by a staff member behind glass. But he said to retrofit buildings, particularly aging ones, can be difficult and expensive.